DURBAN - Mamelodi Sundowns new man, Lebohang Maboe, left a massive void following his departure from Maritzburg United.
According to Fadlu Davids, the coach at the Team of Choice, they have to sign three players to replace their former midfield ace but he will settle for one new signing if he can’t get three.
Maboe joined Masandawana three days before the new season commenced. His absence is evident.
“People don’t realise that Lebohang Maboe played as a holding 6 (midfielder), 10 (playermaker), right (wing) and left (wing). He was basically multifunctional. Basically you have to sign three players to replace him for all the jobs he did. We are looking at perhaps bringing in another striker and an attacking player.
I’m hoping to sign two but if I get a striker, I will be happy," Fadlu Davids told the media after his side held Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium in an Absa Premiership tussle on Friday.
Lebohang Maboe of Mamelodi Sundowns speaks to the media at the Chloorkop Field. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Maboe walked away with the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament and the Most Promising Player awards last season.
He was one of the colossal figures in United’s successful season last term. Maboe netted important goals and created plenty of goalscoring chances for his teammates.
United have struggled this season. After four matches in all competitions they are yet to register a victory. They lost to Golden Arrows, Free State Stars and Cape Town City in their opening three matches.
“I’m really pleased with the performances so far in the league. The table is not telling the true story. Yes, we have to work on our attacking structure now with (Andrea) Fileccia back.
"We will try to sign another striker and an attacking player. We will then be a different team. You can’t take away these two matches, Arrows and Free State Stars. We were really the better team, we were the team that created most chances. We deserve to win all these two matches," Davids said.
Fadlu Davids: You have to sign three players to replace Maboe for all the jobs he did. Photo: Howard Cleland/BackpagePix
His team showed guts, character and gallantry as they played with 10 men for 76 minutes against a Chiefs attack that boasted the likes of Khama Billiat, Leonardo Castro, Kabelo Mahlasela, Siphelele Ntshangase and Siphiwe Tshabalala.
“ We have to be positive. We can only move forward now. I get excited when I work with these players. I’m happy about the fight that the guys displayed. It was really fantastic leadership from Siyanda Xulu, leading the backline. Everybody put in their hands and fought for that point.
"We were really on top of them in the first five minutes with 11 men. If it stayed 11 v 11, it would have been a different story. It was really a fantastic clean sheet for the boys," a happy Davids concluded.
United's next assignment is against Bidvest Wits at Harry Gwala Stadium on September 15.